Club History

Bell Tower is a chartered club of Toastmasters International,
a world wide organization dedicated to the enhancement of speaking and
leadership skills. Our chapter was started in early 1983 when Will Towne,
a local toastmaster, was working to obtain advanced recognition from
Toastmaster's International. To that end, he organized a group of about
7 administrators and directors from UNC Hospitals to come to a demonstration
of a Toastmasters meeting. At that meeting, his brief presentation more
than convinced the administrators of the value of Toastmasters. One person
at the demonstration meeting said Mr. Towne: "is the best speaker I have
ever heard". That praise was hard won for the former "Ahhh Champion" of
the Chapel Hill club, a title granted to the most frequent user of "Ahhhs"
in the course of any speech!

On March 25, 1983, the Bell Tower Toastmasters Club
was officially chartered by Toastmasters International. The original members
were all from the hospital and most were all high-level managers.Today,
the Club is open to all. It currently has members from the hospital, the
University and the community at large. The members include students, faculty, staff, and
professionals, young and not-so-young. On November 3, 2010, Bell Tower Toastmasters members received a charter from Toastmasters International for a second club, After Five Bell Tower Toastmasters, to better meet the needs of members. When you come to visit one of Bell
Tower's meetings you will receive a warm welcome!